Legal Counsel

Job Description

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Director, Legal and Compliance Shared Services, the Legal Counsel will provide strategic legal support on non-charitable projects, vendor contracts, and regulatory compliance. This role offers the opportunity to shape compliance programs, streamline legal processes, and partner with teams across the Foundation to deliver impact.

JOB TYPE: Full time

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Provide legal support on non-charitable projects and transactions related to the Foundation’s operations.
• Participate in various operational projects as legal support for the Foundation.
• Proactively identify, analyze and respond to legislative developments affecting the Foundation’s operations.
• Negotiate and review vendor contracts and communicate feedback appropriately.
• Collaborate with Legal and Compliance team members in providing support to country and functional teams on operational regulatory compliance, including privacy and data protection-related regulatory compliance requirements.
• Ensure contracts are in line with the Foundation policies, procedures and strategic objectives.
• Collaborate with Legal and Compliance Team members to maintain and upgrade vendor contract templates.
• Support the continuous improvement of legal processes and procedures.
• In partnership with the business leaders and external partners co-create the design and support the implementation of compliance programs.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

WHO YOU ARE

• Degree in law (LLB or JD) is required.
• Member in good standing of a Law Society (Bar).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience working in a reputable firm or in-house position with a demonstrated record of success in Africa.
• Experience working in charitable and non-profit sectors is preferred.
• Experience working in a start-up or ‘build’ environment.
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills.
• Must be fluent in English.
• Ability to exercise appropriate and sound judgement and discretion in dealing with legal matters.
• Innovative and entrepreneurial; can formulate and develop new or creative approaches to problems and inspires others on the team to do so as well.
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute a range of job duties and changing priorities.
• Possess excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
• Possess professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplify the Foundation’s values.

Applications will be received until this position is filled.

About the Organization

The MasterCard Foundation is an independent, global organization based in Toronto, Canada, with over US $9 billion in assets. Through collaboration with partner organizations in 57 countries, it is creating opportunities for all people to learn and prosper. The Foundation's programs promote financial inclusion and advance youth learning, mostly in Africa. Established in 2006 through the generosity of MasterCard Worldwide when it became a public company, the Foundation is a separate and independent entity. The policies, operations and funding decisions of the Foundation are determined by its own Board of Directors and President and CEO. For more information on the Foundation, please visit www.mastercardfdn.org.